Best response to 1...e4.

Hi, I am studying openings with my chess teacher, and as homework I have to choose an opening as white, which I chose as King's Gambit, opening for black in response to 1...d4, which I chose as The Dutch Defense, and another opening for black in response to 1...e4. Right now it's pretty much between 1...e5, The Sicilian and The Alekhine. Please give advice about which you like best and why.

I would play e5, because you need to know alot more theory to play the Sicilian, and The Alekhine Defense gives up control of the center right away, you need to learn how to play in the center before you give up control of it.

I'd say it takes just as much theory to learn to play e5 IF you plan on playing Nc6 in response to Nf3. Out of the choices you gave I would recommend the Alekhine as it is perfectly sound, aggressive, and not overly theoretical. If you want to learn lots of theory I would rather play the sicilian than e5.

But the theory behind the openings after 1.e4 e5, are simpler, and Alekhines Defense is fine but I wouldn't play is my only response to 1.e4 you'll get to predictable.

If you are going to do the sicilian, do the Kan. It is a very flexible defense and does not require a ton of theory (compared to other sicilians). If the Kan does not suit your style, stay away from the sicilians until a bit later. I do not know much about Alekhine's defense but I think Alekhine used it in only 12 games and then discarded it. I hear that it is a bit suspicious. E5 is a very respected and good move. However, you also have to learn much theory simply because White tends to get to choose the opening. White may be a master in that specific opening and may play it all the time, but because you have to study a variety of different openings, you know less about White's choice than he/she does. Yet, this quote from the back from a book I recently bought offers some hope for Black. "There is no doubt that playing the Open Games is one of Black's most reliable and yet aggressive ways of meeting White's favourite opening move, 1e4. Experts also agree that playing these fundamental openings is a crucial step in the development of a chess player, while moving up to the highest level it provides the battleground for countless duals between the likes of World number one Garry Kasparov, Vishy Anand, and Vladimir Kramnik." - Play 1e4 e5! by Nigel Davies. So, I think you should do the Kan or e5.

Ahh I just had a look at your rating and I'm changing my suggestion

 

Beginners should as a rule start out by playing the open games e4 e5. These openings make the most sense from an "opening priciples" point of view and lead to good habits. So yes I recommend e5 and playing through a ton of Paul Morphy games to better understand it. 

Ok, Thx 4 the help.!

1...d5, the Scandanavian (aka the Center-Counter defense). It takes white out of his plan immediately, is solid, counter attacking and a lot of fun. And there is a lot less theory than either 1...e5 or 1...c5. In the end though, figure out your style and taste and go with what suits you best.

Have you considered the French?  It is a sound and solid opening that Black should equalize in or be better if he knows what he is doing.

go e5 it the best move i think

pvmike wrote: I would play e5, because you need to know alot more theory to play the Sicilian, and The Alekhine Defense gives up control of the center right away, you need to learn how to play in the center before you give up control of it.

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Less theory on 1.e4 e5 than on Sicilian??  Spanish, Russian, Mexican, Vienna, Italian, Two knights ... !!!  If the goal is to get out of book, Alekhine will do it the quickest here, because most of the people I play here don't seem to play book--but there are notable exceptions. 

 

Personally, I'm probably not an opening person and would go with Alekine.  Although Sicilian has less, though admittedly huge book, you probably ought to go with the eminently generic 1...e5 as the reply to 1.e4.

KillaBeez wrote: Have you considered the French?  It is a sound and solid opening that Black should equalize in or be better if he knows what he is doing.

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Yes, the problem there is that I Don't know what I'm doing. The French is a good opening, but it really doesn't fit me. I play horribly in closed games and would much rather have an open game. I think I'll go with 1...e5 and learn more advanced openings when the time comes.

1...c5!!

KillaBeez wrote: Have you considered the French?  It is a sound and solid opening that Black should equalize in or be better if he knows what he is doing.

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 That's true. In most lines of the French, white advances his pawn to e5, has a pawn on d4, and black gets to counterattack in the center with c5 and f6. In the exchange, it is perfectly equal, and black does not need to worry about developing his light squared bishop.

I love the french, and in most lines black is completely equal....but it's not for beginners.

ericmittens wrote: I love the french....but it's not for beginners.agreed.

I play 3 Sicilians(aggressive but messy Sveshnikov and two `hedgehogs´ - Taimanov and Kan),Winawer French, Modern Alekhines and Petroff.

i play the sicilian dragon.it really suits me

 

Doesn't anyone ever stick with the Ruy Lopez anymore?

   At one time or another I've played most responses to 1. e4.  I've had that luxury since I mainly play correspondence.  I've won and lost with all of them.  Some of the losses can be attributed to not understanding the opening and thus getting lost in the middle or end game.  Introduction over, I've generally found 1....e5 and 1....c5 to be the strongest responses.  The other openings are fine, all openings, in this day of databases and interconnectivity, have a huge load of theory.  If you hit a specialist in any given opening you will probably "go wrong" before him.  It may not matter.

The next questions beyond "strongest" are the oft quoted "style" and your goal in any given game.  Style can only be addressed by a strong player working with you and even then styles can change.  Your goal varies from winning, drawing, learning and the ever popular-not making a fool of myself, following at a close second is the -not being too tired to play because I'm too busy following opening fashions.   These questions have no single or simple answer.  So pick a handful of openings, play them against friends and computers and see what you like.  Pay attention to transpositional possibilities and deviations by both sides and have a great time playing chess.